Multifunctional ortodontic bracket cover

Abstract

A new method to measure and study in situ the chemical and mechanical stress of the orthodontic fixtures and to protect them by creating a feedback system for the patient that provides a warning on each exposure to an associated hazard. The device is an individual orthodontic protection cover applied over the arch wire and fixed on the orthodontic fixture by an elastic clamp and set over the tooth with a solid filler material to seal all the inner exposed surface of the tooth. Inside the shell some electronics, powered by a micro-battery, is embedded to measure the pH, temperature, vibration, movement, force on the tooth, etc. using specialized transducers such as piezoelectric and pH transducers attached on the protective cover. The measured value is transmitted outside via radio frequency, or modulated light, or other signal protocol, to a specialized receiver that stores and analyzes it. The warning signals are transmitted to the patient via vibrations on the tooth, light, or other signaling method, asking for corrective actions such as tooth wash or the use of other less tooth aggressive food, establishing a feedback loop and educating the patient on dental hygiene and safety.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tooth cover sheathing/shell comprising:
 a. An external shell   b. An internal elastic and shaped fixture to secure it to the orthodontic bracket   c. A microelectronic system inside made of:
 i. electrodes for PH measurement 
 ii. optical and vibration signaling devices 
 iii. battery 
 iv. specialized electronics 
 v. sensors and transducers 
 vi. wi-fi or optic communication devices 
   d. a set of thin protective shell covers   e. a space filler and sealant   
     
     
         2 . A simple orthodontic bracket cover comprising:
 a. A rigid smooth shaped rigid shell   b. Slits for adjusting the arch wire   c. Means of being attached on the arch wire   d. Space filler   
     
     
         3 . A method of making tooth measurement and creating a feedback loop for protecting the orthodontic work and educating the patient using the tooth cover based on:
 a. A protective cover shell attached on the tooth   b. Specialized measurement microelectronics   c. Sensors and transducers for measuring:
 i. The tooth pH 
 ii. The tooth's temperature 
 iii. The tooth's force 
 iv. Tooth acceleration or vibration 
   d. Transducers for local signaling of warning levels to the patient by using:
 i. Light pulses 
 ii. Sound and/or vibration 
   e. Communication systems using:   i. Modulated visible light
 ii. Modulated IR light 
 iii. Radio frequency (in 802.11 or blue-tooth) 
   f. Systems of reception and data analyses   
     
     
         4 . A tooth cover sheathing/shell according to  claim 1  that uses a set of clamps to hold on the arch wire 
     
     
         5 . A tooth cover sheathing/shell according to  claim 1  that uses a set of electrodes that penetrates the shell to measure pH 
     
     
         6 . A tooth cover sheathing/shell according to  claim 1  that uses a led to signal the warning messages to the patient. 
     
     
         7 . A tooth cover sheathing/shell according to  claim 1  that uses a piezoelectric transducer to measure vibrations and stress to the case and to transmit a sound and/or vibration to warn the patient of a message. 
     
     
         8 . A tooth cover sheathing/shell according to  claim 1  that uses a chargeable battery or storage device to power the electronics. 
     
     
         9 . A tooth cover sheathing/shell according to  claim 1  that uses a modulated transmitter system using either or both IR or RF signals. 
     
     
         10 . A simple orthodontic bracket cover according to  claim 2  where the coversheet is made of a patient skin compatible material. 
     
     
         11 . A simple orthodontic bracket cover according to  claim 2  that may be profiled as an ellipsoid, with lateral slits for the arch wire. 
     
     
         12 . A simple orthodontic bracket cover according to  claim 2  that uses a plastic mold material to fill in the spaces and seal the shell on the tooth. 
     
     
         13 . A simple orthodontic bracket cover according to  claim 2  that can be painted or otherwise covered and shaped in various patterns and profiles. 
     
     
         14 . A simple orthodontic bracket cover according to  claim 2  using ceramic materials in the tooth's color to be a stealth on the tooth. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making tooth measurements and creating a feedback loop for protecting the orthodontic work according to  claim 3  where a microelectronics system is used to measure pH between the tooth and mouth or tooth and food. 
     
     
         16 . A method of making tooth measurements and creating a feedback loop for protecting the orthodontic work according to  claim 3  using direct feedback to the patient, that receives a light or vibration signal when a hazardous exposure appears on the tooth. 
     
     
         17 . A method of making tooth measurements and creating a feedback loop for protecting the orthodontic work according to  claim 3  based on measurement of the signal and transmitting them to an outside receiver using radio-frequency or IR/visible modulation. 
     
     
         18 . A method of making tooth measurements and creating a feedback loop for protecting the orthodontic work according to  claim 3  using piezoelectric transducers to measure the stress in tooth, its vibrations and to transmit signals to the patient. 
     
     
         19 . A method of making tooth measurements and creating a feedback loop for protecting the orthodontic work according to  claim 3  using the protection conductive sheeting and the arch wire to create an antenna to emit signals and a pH sensor 
     
     
         20 . A method of making tooth measurements and creating a feedback loop for protecting the orthodontic work according to  claim 3  using the system for oral hygiene education tutoring, and for studying the alimentary habits.